Pony on loan. Tell me what I need to think about before going ahead.

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I grew up with ponies until my mid 20’s - life took over and I stopped so I’m hopelessly out of date.

I’ve been offered a lovely semi retired pony on loan. I’m happy the basics are covered (she can go back any time, has tack/ head collars/ rugs, I’ve somewhere to keep her, hay if needed etc). I’m not up to date on best routines for worming etc but her owner and other horsy friends will get me up to speed before she arrives.

So it’s more the loan element. She’s not insured - do I need something in writing with her owner re vets bills etc (she’s older and ready to slow down, but is up for a potter around and having some attention from the kids and I rather than just sitting in a field). What else should I be thinking about?

thanks!

There's a loan agreement template on the bhs website.

Definitely have a written agreement re. insurance. And even if they do have her covered get rider insurance to cover 3rd party incidents and any liability on your part.

Thank you, I’ll download it and have a look and ensure we have rider insurance. They haven’t insured her due to her age - it’s potentially a short term loan whilst we see if i can make it work alongside all my other commitments - so I’ll make sure we have something in writing re who covers what.

Generally loaner covers insurance. Check the yard - some want public liability (cheapest way of doing this tends to be BHS gold membership).

Personally I wouldn’t be taking on someone else’s aging vet bill.
My friend loaned out an older (late teens) pony and the deal was she’d cover a pre existing condition but them calling the vet cause she was lame/colic/hurt herself etc was on the loaner.
That pony was still wizzing round 138 tracks though…

Yes given the lack of insurance situation you need absolute clarity on what to do in an emergency, who pays for any urgent or emergency treatment and who can authorise it, it's not always clear cut e.g. in the case of a colic you'd assume her owner would want the injections given and painkillers and so on even if she wouldn't pay for surgery, but would you/your vet be authorised to make that choice in the middle of the night or would she want to be called always. Also as the pony's 'semi retired' it's worth getting it down in writing what your and owner's expectations are re riding and exercise as everyone would have different definitions of what's reasonable and you wouldn't want to be in a position of upsetting owner and being accused of overworking her or neglecting her if you don't exercise her every day.

Also worth considering how often pony should see farrier, dentist, physio, saddle fitter and again who pays (usually it would be the loaner but ask), I'm an oldie and 'in my day' the latter 3 weren't such a big thing as now but these days I think many owners would expect their horses to have these attend regularly.

Worth understanding too her needs/preferences about companions, routine etc. I'm assuming it's a livery yard she'd be at rather than your own land, if it's individual or pairs turnout only (which again is much more common at 'average' yards than it used to be, used to be only for high value competition horses) and she's used to a herd (or vice versa) you may need to allow a longer settling in period...

Ahhh I wrote a massive reply and lost it! Thank you all for the advice. I’ve been on the BHS website and started looking at the advice there (thanks @DoodlePug )

agree it’s the vets bills that would be an issue and I’ll need to have a think and chat with her owner. . Happy to pay for farrier/ dentist/ worming etc. She’d be in a few fields near my home with decent field shelters/ water/ fencing, other ponies there but she can be kept separately if she doesn’t integrate. Level of work wise I think we are agreed, I think the owner just wants her to have a human giving her mare some love and potter about on a few hacks a week, rather than just sitting in the field, which would suit me down to the ground after so long off and with work/ kids etc . And I can hand her back any time if it’s not working.

my husband is slightly worried that I’m on a slippery slope to re starting a very expensive lifestyle 😂

Oh and she’s utterly gorgeous and well mannered, perfect for me!